The State Castle of Český Krumlov, with its architectural standard, cultural tradition, and sheer size, ranks among the most important historic sights in the Central European region. Building development from the 14th to 19th centuries have been well-preserved in the original groundplan layout, material structure, interior installation and architectural detail.

In the mid-13th century the lords of Krumlov, who belonged to the important noble family of Vítkovce, founded the castle Krumlov on a steep rocky bulge above the stream of the Vltava River. In 1302, the Rosenberg family took over the castle and made it their main residential palace. During the era of Vilem of Rosenberg, the huge Gothic castle was rebuilt under the guidance of Italian masters into a monumental Renaissance residence, and in the same period it became an important cultural, social and economic center of the large Rosenberg dominion. Petr Vok of Rosenberg sold the residence to Rudolph II due to financial reasons. Rudolph II never visited the castle and in 1622 his cousin Emperor Ferdinand II presented it to his banker, Jan Ulrich of Eggenberg. At the end of the 17th century, during the era of Jan Christian of Eggenberg, the chateau went through extensive reconstruction in the Baroque style. The floor of the halls was equally levelled, huge Baroque staircases were constructed, Baroque gardens were designed and a new Baroque theater and a mint were built.

After extinction of the Eggenburg line, the Schwarzenberg family inherited the property and the union of the two noble families created an extensive dominion, resembling the Rosenberg era in size and location. Further reconstruction in the style of High Baroque took place during the period of Josef Adam of Schwarzenberg. He had the Mirror Hall and the Mask Hall reconstructed and decorated with Rococo paintings by Josef Lederer. The Eggenberg theater building was rebuilt and equipped with a large collection of wings by Viennese painters, theatre costumes and requisites from the 18th century. In the garde the wooden pavilion Belaria was reconstructed and a new wooden music pavilion and winter chateau riding-school were built. The theater and the park are accessible by the corridors on the upper floors of the Late Baroque bridge – a technical marvel that vaults across the castle moat.

In the late 18th century, the rush to construct the Krumlov chateau dwindled. Only the Duke Adolf Josef of Schwamberk took interest in the restoration of the chateau Krumlov and in the year 1900 he decided to open part of the Schwarzenberg representative rooms to the public. In 1940, Gestapo confiscated the whole Schwarzenberg property. After the war, the chateau was nationalized and made accessible to the public again.

In 1992, the whole historic complex was included in the UNESCO list of cultural and natural heritage.

Tags: Český Krumlov